Method of starting a gasifier

Abstract

For starting a gasifier for the gasification of carbonaceous fuel with an oxygen-bearing gasification agent in a fluidized bed, the gasifier is filled with an inert gaseous medium and put under an increased pressure. After sealing integrity has been established, a combustible gas mixture is ignited in a combustion chamber connected to the lower part of the gasifier, by means of an ignition device which operates under pressure. The gas mixture is thus burnt, while the increased pressure in the gasifier is maintained, at least until the temperature within the gasifier corresponds to the gasification temperature. The arrangement for carrying the method into effect includes a pressure-resistant combustion chamber for combustion of the combustible gas mixture by means of the ignition device. The combustion chamber is connected at least at times to the lower part of the gasifier, by way of an openable slide member. The combustion chamber is arranged at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the gasifier.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of starting a gasifier for the gasification of carbonaceous fuel by means of an oxygen-bearing gasification agent in a fluidised bed comprising filling the gasifier with an inert gas medium and putting it under an increased pressure, establishing gas-tight sealing integrity of the gasifier, and igniting a combustible gas mixture by means of an ignition device which operates under pressure, in a combustion chamber which communicates with the lower part of the gasifier, said mixture undergoing combustion substantially while maintaining the increased pressure at least until the temperature within the gasifier at least substantially corresponds to the gasification temperature. 
     
     
       2. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein an increasing amount of fuel is fed to the gasifier during combustion of the gas mixture. 
     
     
       3. A method as set forth in claim 2 wherein an increasing amount of gasification agent is fed to the gasifier during combustion of the gas mixture. 
     
     
       4. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein combustion of the gas mixture in the combustion chamber is cut out during gasification of the fuel in the gasifier. 
     
     
       5. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein combustion of the gas mixture in the combustion chamber is restricted to burning an ignition flame at the ignition device.